Hydrogel composition and uses thereof

Abstract

Hydrogel composition comprising gelatin, poly-glutamic acid and epiregulin suitable for cultivating keratinocytes, preferably human keratinocytes.

1 . Hydrogel composition, said composition comprising gelatin, poly-glutamic acid and epiregulin. 
     
     
         2 . Hydrogel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the gelatin is selected between gelatin A and gelatin B. 
     
     
         3 . Hydrogel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein poly-glutamic acid is poly-L-glutamic acid. 
     
     
         4 . Hydrogel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein gelatin is present in an amount between 50 and 150 mg/ml, preferably between 90 and 110 mg/ml. 
     
     
         5 . Hydrogel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein poly-glutamic acid is present in an amount between 5 and 15 mg/ml, preferably between 9 and 11 mg/ml. 
     
     
         6 . Hydrogel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein epiregulin is present in a concentration of 1 to 100 ng/ml, preferably 5 to 50 ng/ml. 
     
     
         7 . Hydrogel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one of 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide (ECD) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). 
     
     
         8 . Hydrogel composition according to  claim 1 , wherein poly-glutamic acid has a molecular weight in the range of 50,000-100,000. 
     
     
         9 . A method of preparing a hydrogel scaffold suitable for cultivation of cells, preferably keratinocytes, more preferably human keratinocytes using the hydrogel composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . Process for cultivating keratinocytes, preferably human keratinocytes, the process comprising i) preparing a hydrogel scaffold using a hydrogel composition according to  claim 1  and ii) seeding keratinocytes on said scaffold. 
     
     
         11 . Process according to  claim 10 , wherein the hydrogel scaffold is preparing by mixing a gelatin solution with poly-glutamic acid and epiregulin and crosslinking the obtained mixture.